tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-44327928949932046892024-02-20T22:48:23.141-07:00Angels On EarthLindzChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18114803502311487060noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4432792894993204689.post-49687277843950867412009-09-05T14:32:00.002-06:002009-09-05T14:35:42.404-06:00Labor Day WeekendHello, hello,<br /><br />Just writing a quick message this Labor Day weekend. As I mentioned in one of my previous posts, I am at home (Nebraska) this weekend for the Steele Reunion (mom's side). Tonight is our annual cream can cookout. Not sure if an explanation is needed but here it is, just in case: we stuff home grown sweet corn (on the cob), potatoes, cabbage, carrots, onion, and brats in an old fashioned "cream can"/milk can. (stands about 3 feet tall) Then fill the cream can with Schlitz beer and set it on an open flame to steam the contents YUM!! and we watch the Husker's game. I know, I know, sounds pretty "hickish" but we love these times. I wouldn't change it for the world. We usually play horse shoes and of course several different card games before we head to the bonfire to roast some marshmallows and make smores.<br /><br />Tomorrow we will all gather for a potluck lunch where my grandmother makes her famous mashed potatoes and homemade chicken and noodles along with many other goodies. We usually visit with everyone, shoot some skeet/(blue rock), play with the giant sling shot/water balloons, and just hang out playing "polish horse shoes," croquet, and other games. Scary stories, hot dogs, polish sausages, and of course more smores around the fire later in the evening. <br /><br />On Monday we have a big outdoor breakfast with all the fix'ns, cooked on our family's collection of electric griddles. Then everyone begins taking down their tents, packing up their campers/RVs, and parting ways until next year. *8^( I will get to see most of them again around Thanksgiving and Christmas, because the holidays are always huge scheduled get togethers in my family. We try to get as many people back as possible. <br /><br />We have had beautiful weather out here recently, not too hot......sitting right around the high 70's. To the point that I have to wear a sweatshirt in the evenings. Love this weather!! <br /> <br />I continue to occupy my time with work and looking at graduate courses/GRE studies. I stay in contact with my adopted soldiers, though I haven't heard back from them, (which is understandable). I am also a member of the Cards Plus and Letter Writing Team with "Soldier's Angels", so I send several letters/packages out each week for different individuals in the service. I volunteer in the Craig Hospital Rehab/Therapeutic Recreation Department, take Bex, (my mutt), to visit the kiddos at Children's Hospital or the folks at Golden Pond Assisted Living and otherwise just try to keep up with my day to day activities. <br /><br />There is nothing really new and exciting to tell you all but I wanted to get a note off since I committed to updating this every so often. I hope you are all safe and well. Take care. LindsayLindzChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18114803502311487060noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4432792894993204689.post-50310827518869472522009-08-22T16:14:00.002-06:002009-08-22T16:49:59.833-06:00Nothing really new since the last time I wrote. I know it is hard to believe because I haven't been on here forever. My life isn't all that eventful really....(that is good in some ways right?), just out here living the simple life and enjoying every minute God grants me. Landed myself in the hospital in April with 20 lbs of excess fluid on me, they drained that pretty fast with IV Lasix....that is a drug that work almost immediately, YIKES! LOL! Feeling pretty good now, trying to get some more of the weight off, it is always such a process. I am in a weight loss challenge with my sister, roommate, and some of my cousins.....they better watch out, I have a lot to lose. <br /><br />My summer camp and teambuilding activities/field day went really well in July. I was a little bummed that they wouldn't let me stay up there with everyone....the altitude ya know. I think I have visited every farmer's market in the Denver area this summer. They have such wonderful fresh fruit and vegetables, and for such a good price compared to the produce in most stores. It is something that I take advantage of every summer. Just went today and purchased my first purple potatoes......fun stuff! We will see what I can do with them. Maybe I will fix some purple mashed potatoes. *8^) <br /><br />Bexley, my dog, is Therapy Dog Trained and has been able to come to my job with me and work with the kids a couple days a week. He worked with the school kiddos this week and loved every minute of it. He also gets to go to an assisted living home right around the corner from work. He enjoys it and they really appreciate it. We will continue these visits throughout the fall and winter. It is great, he is exhausted by the time we get home in the afternoon/evening and just conks out. Less work for me. <br /><br />I adopted a soldier recently. Her name is Johanna and she is an FOB Warrior, possibly in Kirkuk, Iraq. (Kirkuk Airbase - formerly was a major Iraqi Air Force base with support facilities for at least two fighter squadrons, strategically located near the Kirkuk oil fields and the Kirkuk refinery and petrochemical plant.) Kind of neat to learn about her and what she does. I send letters every week and a care package once or twice a month. It is fun, I have enjoyed it and I hope she has as well. I am also in contact with another "Airman" in, I believe, Afghanistan.....he works in aircraft maintenance. Sounds like a pretty important job to me. I can't imagine how different our worlds are right now but it has been a neat experience. <br /><br />I am in the process of putting a "going away"/"Hooray! You didn't get fired" party together for my friend and co-worker this Friday at Baker's Street Pub and then on Saturday we are taking a friend's sister who is turning 21 out on the town. (Man, do I feel old when we do that.) The next weekend, an actor friend from the Renaissance Festival, (we used to work together there), is having a "Old School Slumber Party." That will be a blast! And then, the following weekend, Labor Day weekend of course, we have our Steele (mom's side) Reunion, where the extended family goes camping has bonfires, roasts some marshmallows, shoots some skeet, hangs out, and of course draft their fantasy football teams . <br /><br />I can't believe that summer is almost over here, labor day is right around the corner. It should still be nice and warm for a little bit longer but cold weather isn't far away. I am not sure that I am ready for it, but the Fall out here is beautiful I must say. It is really something to appreciate. I like being somewhere where I get to experience all the seasons. It definately feels like summer is wrapping up but we are always able to come up with fall and winter fun without too many issues - Pumpkin patches, gourd launches, paint ball, Halloween is thrown in there, (I love Halloween, it is one of my favorite Holidays), road trips, sledding (still need to learn to board or ski), and then comes Thanksgiving and Christmas. Wow, I can't believe it is getting to be that time of the year again. <br /><br />Alrighty, signing out....love you all. I will try to update more often.....right, that has been working out as the plan huh? <br /><br />LindsayLindzChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18114803502311487060noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4432792894993204689.post-24133298072910148042009-01-22T16:03:00.001-07:002009-01-22T17:08:18.419-07:00Wow, so I haven't been great at keeping this update huh? Someday I will have the time....someday. Well the move is over, thank goodness. I have a couple of pictures of the new house below. I now live closer to the city and as I stated in previous posts, there are pros and cons about this. I am glad to be at a lower elevation and "thank you" to the Heavens for holding back the snow until I was done moving. Much appreciated. Now it is all about unpacking and organizing things the way that I want them. The cat has come out of hiding and has taken over as king of the house. My dog continues to have trauma about the move......no longer does he have run of the mountain. He is "caged" in a yard, about 25 yards by 35 yards.....I think he will be fine. LOL *8^) The house is spacious and consistently warm, those of you who know what I have put up with over the 4 years in the mountains understand that one. I am looking forward to what the next year may bring now that I am down the hill. We will see.<br /><br />As for the PH......it is still here. LOL Down the hill doesn't mean magic will happen but you can always hope right. The move has done a number on my body but I am slowly re-cooperating. I have been a bit more out of breath and more "puffy" than usual but am trying to take care of myself. Work has been great about letting me take time when I need it...that and I accrue PTO like no other now that I have been here for 5+ years. Crazy huh?! I have discovered that it is nice to be able to walk around the block with the mutt when I get home from work on level ground. Around the block in the mountains" was like over 3 hills and that just wasn't happening. Other than that, when I get home I hang out and watch some prime time shows (ER, Fringe, Grey's Anatomy, and of course every reality show I can find for some reason), shower, and go to bed. That is basically my routine, and even that is challenging some days.<br /><br />Work is busy. Don't get me wrong, I am thankful that I am still able to work full time as others are not but I am ready for it all to get back to normal. The kiddos are still feeling the effects of the holidays. We see the cops everyother day or so......no, it is not because of me. LOL Our kids are fighting out some of their anger, hurt, and anxiety right now. It is busy to say the least. I had a little slip/swim in some milk, soda, and water that was tossed between a couple of kids as "weaponery" at the beginning of this week. That was fun...did the splits...reminded me of my gymnastic days but we all know that I am not as flexible as I used to be. It is amazing to me to see how much anger and rage actually turns out to be hurt, anxiety, and other overwhelming emotions and how many skills these kids lack in order to deal with these feelings. We are trying to teach them but as we all know.......it will only work if they are ready, willing, and able.<br /><br />I have an echocardiogram scheduled for 3/15/09, TAX DAY (hope I get a refund)!! It is crazy to get in and see the PH specialist right now. Dr. Badesch already has people booked through July 2009. I can't imagine his schedule. I will let you all know the results though echoes don't give great stats/numbers/pressures...........that is the duty of the heart catheder. No heart cath this visit, YAY! I hate those things, talk about anxiety. Weird to think that people are actually touching your heart and you can feel it.<br /><br />That is about all the time that I have for now. I will try to write again soon. I hope all is well with everyone. Take care and God bless.<br />LindsayLindzChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18114803502311487060noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4432792894993204689.post-43725161498942075642008-12-09T20:36:00.000-07:002008-12-09T20:41:35.968-07:00<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA3bf0rG4vpyl568m1vRbCPPRaz6KlhYE92iqsrJSTRymqh5qEYHXSbKgEhWMdlPG8BU3zX2q68w6D-smImSOM598X9i1cXhJ7yUTfU-INPK5J1dwk7ufNMC2aSWzJnc0Tdvtm5wUHsLE/s1600-h/5.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5278000584856780322" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 158px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA3bf0rG4vpyl568m1vRbCPPRaz6KlhYE92iqsrJSTRymqh5qEYHXSbKgEhWMdlPG8BU3zX2q68w6D-smImSOM598X9i1cXhJ7yUTfU-INPK5J1dwk7ufNMC2aSWzJnc0Tdvtm5wUHsLE/s200/5.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiy0VMLQTLZfvtA5nR2q6W1Nbb6LdjnJ7mdII4nM-jRshVLExNJBS6FENBT-Pfwu5-Pbqh2V_NXLNe5LWkQVhoUs6Zh_fL0z9jT2d29jynQGnEB4I8-JlcsD_9G4bi_Oc86NsKbV2yK1k/s1600-h/4.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5278000585001062594" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiy0VMLQTLZfvtA5nR2q6W1Nbb6LdjnJ7mdII4nM-jRshVLExNJBS6FENBT-Pfwu5-Pbqh2V_NXLNe5LWkQVhoUs6Zh_fL0z9jT2d29jynQGnEB4I8-JlcsD_9G4bi_Oc86NsKbV2yK1k/s200/4.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyAr-acB2wWXEzmvzt1p4eTidbQa22P2XZFwieyhxXKCYvpBg9N4tR5NplENXVua5QiAgAkagx6QlNKSPCN9i0qhIRdNq1MK6etTy0hRK3RpRxhoLSx4FQcV82D9fagPrSq-cTk6EtNTg/s1600-h/3.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5278000582214512866" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 172px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyAr-acB2wWXEzmvzt1p4eTidbQa22P2XZFwieyhxXKCYvpBg9N4tR5NplENXVua5QiAgAkagx6QlNKSPCN9i0qhIRdNq1MK6etTy0hRK3RpRxhoLSx4FQcV82D9fagPrSq-cTk6EtNTg/s200/3.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQULM4AOWgJJ7yyZgVBZ307klrFqOzhc-vIMOYqW97P0twRY0dI3aWAKeZchYx5ZbUTCcyPSZuALEv-3rPVBbiy0ejoUcoSEl2BztOYwzb7oy29egwHTAwwzrOBPg37vBrYQLzin5swZw/s1600-h/2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5278000580797578562" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 183px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQULM4AOWgJJ7yyZgVBZ307klrFqOzhc-vIMOYqW97P0twRY0dI3aWAKeZchYx5ZbUTCcyPSZuALEv-3rPVBbiy0ejoUcoSEl2BztOYwzb7oy29egwHTAwwzrOBPg37vBrYQLzin5swZw/s200/2.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7r36LUr42UDzVla_BxXexOWzLFTuqF03ZHPr_Vd91blNQjLycVMp4IpyV1eC13GYR3afcW8t3M-3W4l51G3lE-5v8LLnu34_qAw6DheWiOENhW3Ra9cGEP5k_CoJc_rQ8yMp4icWYfko/s1600-h/short+hairstyle.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5278000577272706274" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 134px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7r36LUr42UDzVla_BxXexOWzLFTuqF03ZHPr_Vd91blNQjLycVMp4IpyV1eC13GYR3afcW8t3M-3W4l51G3lE-5v8LLnu34_qAw6DheWiOENhW3Ra9cGEP5k_CoJc_rQ8yMp4icWYfko/s200/short+hairstyle.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><strong><em>I AM CHOPPING MY HAIR!! WHAT IS YOUR VOTE?! (be sure to check out my old posts)</em></strong></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div></div>LindzChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18114803502311487060noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4432792894993204689.post-11264862423986374772008-12-09T19:16:00.000-07:002008-12-09T20:05:44.854-07:00Alright, I am going to try to update my blog weekly...........at least the posts, as I still struggle with some of the accessories such as pictures, links, etc. (any help/guidance would be greatly appreciated) It could just be the computer that I have to work on but Christmas is right around the corner........(family if you are reading this "hint hint"). *8^)<br /><br />Everything is going well out here in "colorful" Colorado though currently the primary colors seen around the area are white and gray. We got about a foot and a half at my place on Lookout Mountain, though minimum compared to previous years, it still gets to be a pain. I am currently contemplating a move down the hill, closer to work, less driving in the snow, (and those of you who know me.......less driving in general is a plus not only for me but the other drivers on the roads, hee hee). I would like to share my list of pros and cons with you all and get your opinions/responses regarding my "dilemma."<br /><br />It seems to be a tougher decision than what I had anticipated. I love where I am at now, it is beautiful, serene, peaceful. I enjoy the wildlife, it is about 10 degrees cooler in the summer than the city, and we <strong>finally</strong> have decent downstairs neighbors. But at the same time, winters get to be tough (especially now), my landlord is a/an _______, (I will let you fill in the blank), and we consistently have issues with one thing or another. So feel free to be honest and open with your responses, here are the facts. The pros and the cons of moving down the hill:<br /><br /><em><strong><u>PROS</u></strong></em><br /><br /><ol><li>Closer to work and friends (they will probably be more willing to visit too, right guys?)</li><li>More likely to socialize </li><li>Less gas (though it is only $1.65 right now)</li><li>Less snow to shovel (doc says this is a "no no")</li><li>No Pete (landlord)</li><li>No propane (huge bills)</li><li>Better maintenance (I am thinking anywhere would be better than here)</li><li>Flat land/More Oxygen (not a ton...but more....maybe I should move to sea level)</li><li>Off road parking or garage possible</li><li>Neighborhoods/neighbors</li><li>Shops, businesses, and stores are closer</li><li>Closer to my doctors, gym, and pulmonary rehab </li><li>Restaurants deliver (though that could be a very bad thing)</li><li>Quick errands would be much easier/faster</li><li>Could go home and rest over the lunch hour (wow, that would be amazing)</li><li>Classes at Red Rocks (just next door to work)</li><li>Cleaner, less dust (paved streets)</li><li>Civilization in case of emergency</li><li>Snow removal and yard work by others (if I ask nicely)</li><li>Air conditioning</li></ol><p></p><p><strong><em><u>CONS</u></em></strong></p><ol><li>Closer to work during storms, less chance of getting "snowed in"</li><li>Rent could be more expensive (only pay $350 right now)</li><li>No view of the city or the mountains</li><li>Rental property may not have a yard for the Bex</li><li>Moving in general stinks</li><li>Strangers</li><li>Less wildlife</li><li>Rental property may not have storage</li><li>Easier to get "junk" delivered if I don't feel like cooking</li><li>Less peace and quiet</li><li>Dad loves my place now, doesn't care for the city</li></ol><p>Any other Pros or Cons that you all can think of? </p><p></p><em><strong></strong></em>LindzChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18114803502311487060noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4432792894993204689.post-90446329847961300832008-11-02T18:09:00.000-07:002008-11-03T16:13:13.472-07:00My PH StoryJune 18th, 2006 - It was game point, “Bump ‘N Grind” over the “Mental Misfits” (my team, fitting isn’t it?) Good serve, but the Misfits return it in an ideal set up. Beeeeaaaauuuuutiful! Bump ‘N Grind...passes, sets...captain of the Misfits, prepares, gets low, ready for the kill, here it comes….KAPOW, perfect up, no problem. Side out! Now, Misfits’ captain is up to serve (me). She bounces the volleyball in preparation for the serve…1…2…3…she serves…ACE! Misfits win it! It was a great win, but as I thought to myself…“I have never had to work this hard to play 3 sets of volleyball”…I knew something was wrong. No, it wasn’t just because I have always been a bit “curvaceous,” it was something more.<br /><br />As I struggled through the rest of our volleyball season and a couple more months of aches, pains, and shortness of breath I knew that I had to listen to my body, and my mother (don’t tell her I said that), and take myself to the doctor. Friends and family started noticing a significant decrease in my level of activity tolerance as did I, and of course <strong><em>everyone’s</em></strong> first thought was “gotta get the weight off,” and/or “gotta get back to the gym and work even harder.” Throughout the summer I made multiple visits to my PCP and ended up being prescribed 3 different inhalers and an allergy medication. None of which proved themselves helpful.<br /><br />As the months passed and the holidays approached, it seemed as if I was becoming more in tune with my body and I had started to notice developing symptoms, such as a dry cough, consistent pain between my shoulder blades, persistent headaches, and tightness in my chest, things that I had never noticed or experienced before. I went Christmas shopping with my roommate Laura and ended up having to stop walking every 50 yards or so. Good thing that I started early, because the Christmas shopping ended up having to be done in shifts that year.<br /><br />I went home for Christmas, and though I enjoyed the time that I got to spend with my family I continued to struggle with the cough, fatigue, back pain etc. I decided to go and see my home town doctor. These are nurses and doctors that have known me since I was a snotty nosed kid, literally! So the day after Christmas I went to visit the Tri-County Health Clinic and my nurse was none other than one of my best friends' mothers. She noticed that I was a bit short of breath when I walked in and she immediately put a pulse oximeter on my finger, (what a concept?!). She asked me to walk up and down the hall a couple of times and as I did so, I felt my heart beat faster, my lungs burn, and watched my O2 stats fall as low as 66% and my heartrate shoot up to 130 beats per minute. She approached me with a worried look on her face and asked “is your mother home?”<br /><br />Next thing I knew, my parents were instructed to drive me to the emergency room 2 hours away. There was no going back to the house, no collecting any “necessities,” no “passing go, collect $200.” I felt like I was a hostage at my doctor’s office. AAAAHHHHH! How nervous was I? I had no idea what my medical team was thinking, all I could think is, “What is wrong with me? Could someone please tell me something?”<br /><br />Hastings, Nebraska ER is where the “fun” began. When I speak of “fun” I mean the pokes, the prods, and the bazillion different tests to find out, “what in the world is going on” and of course the hundreds of questions that you have to answer over and over and over again. My parents stuck with me the whole time. It actually was kind of a nice vacation from my work with “at-risk” youth, you know…the service, relaxing in bed, having others being at YOUR beckon call. (Hey I take it where and when I can get it.) Even following the three days of tests there wasn’t a definite diagnosis. The only things that my family and I knew were that I had an enlarged heart, oh, and there was a hole in my heart but it wasn’t the cause of my SOB (interpreted – “shortness of breath”), and that is exactly what I thinking SOB (NOT interpreted – “shortness of breath”). It was suggested that I set up an appointment with a PH Specialist immediately.<br /><br />I was discharged from the hospital on New Years day but got a couple of extra vacation days due to the ice storms that had pounded Nebraska as the New year rolled in. (I will try and include pictures of the storm somewhere on my page). Moving on, I returned to my home town and there my family and I sat and discussed our options for treatment. I had the option to move home to Nebraska and see a specialist in Lincoln, or low and behold, after some research I found that University of Colorado Hospital had a program specific to these symptoms right there in Denver. I love Colorado and though living in Nebraska wouldn’t take me that far away, for once in my life I was starting to settle down, had a huge support network of friends, lived in a house that I loved, and family wasn’t too far away, so I returned to Colorado with a prescheduled appointment with Dr. David Badesch, “my hero,” (must be stated in the high voice – melodrama) and we started the whole process over again, meeting my new treatment team, the tests, and the questions.<br /><br />On February 7th, 2007, I was officially diagnosed with Primary (idiopathic) Pulmonary Hypertension. Dr. Badesch and his team asked me to be a part of multiple research studies and I was honored to say “yes.” (Anything to support PH research). I was placed on oxygen 24/7, Coumadin, and have been taking 10mg of the recently FDA approved study drug, Ambrisentan/Letairis. He advised me to get in touch with local support groups and so I did, almost immediately. I have been attending both the Denver and Colorado Springs support groups here in Colorado. Honestly, of all of the assistance that I have been offered, the support groups have made the most difference in my life. I don’t know what I would have done without the individuals, the support, and the guidance that the Southern Colorado Pulmonary Hypertension Support Group has offered me. It has been a year since I first started attending this support group and have developed very close and supportive relationships there. They are like a second family to me.<br /><br />Knowing now, that I am the youngest attendee at this meeting and recognizing the physical handicaps that this disease has placed on so many, I try to put my youth, energy, and abilities to good use. I have made it my personal mission to do all that I can to support research on PH. Through the Pulmonary Hypertension Association, I educate myself on advances in medicine that have been made to maintain and manage this disease and distribute this information to individuals, companies, and medical professionals, (including my former doctor who misdiagnosed me for almost a year), to educate and empower them in their practice. I made myself a part of the Planning Group for Colorado’s first PH fundraising event, a Tuscan Gala, in October. I started attending planning meetings for this very purposeful event. I sent out a letter to friends, family, and co-workers to ask for their support by giving of themselves a monetary donation to PHA and/or a gift of their time and talents to be shared at our fundraiser. I personally worked on a Tuscan themed cross stitch (thanks grandma!) to put up for auction at the Gala and many of my friends donated their musical and artistic talents to this cause.<br /><br />Also within this last year, I have become an active member of the Pulmonary Hypertension Association. I attended PHA’s 8th biennial conference “A Journey of Hope and Discovery,” in Houston, TX in June to learn more about PH and to observe the advances that have been made in regards to slowing the progression of this disease. This conference occurs every two years and was jam packed with valuable medical information, but it also offered, what I feel, is an equally important aspect…the opportunity to connect with others and share tips on how to live a “PHenomenal” life while managing PH. I met up face to face with many of the folks that I had chatted with online, in the months prior. I took advantage of the medically led sessions for patients and families, several patient/family-led sessions, support group meetings, and volunteered “behind the scenes” as needed.<br /><br />We, as members of PHA and other Support Groups, have now been challenged to go out in the community and not only educate others on this complex health problem, formerly defined as a “chronic and incurable disease with a poor survival rate,” but also to gather generous donations for continued research on the new treatments available which will significantly prolong the life of many. Whether we like it or not, people with rare conditions such as PH must rely on the kindness of others for support and there are many generous hearts out there, it is just a matter of finding the right ones. If I can do it so can you. Good Luck in your personal “Journey of Hope and Discovery” and I look forward to sharing my future stories and knowledge with you all.<br /><br />Believe in the voice of your Dreams,<br /><br />Lindsay R. Collins (daydreamerlc/Lindz)<br /><br /><a href="http://www.theweddingmeister.com/" target="_New"></a><br /><br /><br /><p></p><br /><br /><p></p>LindzChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18114803502311487060noreply@blogger.com4